Louisiana State University Freshman’s Death Investigated as “Potential Hazing Incident”

Following the September hazing-related death of 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver, 10 members of Louisiana State University's Phi Delta Theta chapter have been charged in relation to the incident. An autopsy revealed that Maxwell's death was accidental, but caused by "acute alcohol intoxication with aspiration." His blood-alcohol level was .495 at his time of death. All ten of the men arrested were charged with hazing — with one brother also facing a negligent homicide charge — for their involvement in the events that led to Maxwell's death, according to BuzzFeed.

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Police are investigating the death of an 18-year-old freshman who was pronounced dead yesterday shortly after what is being described as a "potential hazing incident" at Louisiana State University's chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, according to The Washington Post. Alcohol is allegedly being investigated as a factor, but the situation is still evolving, LSU president F. King Alexander said at a news conference yesterday.

Maxwell Raymond Gruver of Roswell, Georgia was taken to the hospital from the Baton Rouge campus for what school spokesman Ernie Ballard called a "medical emergency" and was later pronounced dead.

While the autopsy is scheduled for today, the Phi Delta Theta chapter has been suspended as the national office launches an investigation and all Greek activities across campus are suspended until further notice. Alexander added that “As we have continually warned over and over again, hazing is dangerous irresponsible and unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated at LSU, period.” He says no suspects have yet been identified.

LSU joins a string of universities where fraternity activities went wrong. This February, 19-year-old Tim Piazza died after falling down the stairs at an event held by Penn State University's Beta Theta Pi chapter. Eight brothers were charged with involuntary manslaughter for failing to call an ambulance for 12 hours, though those charges were later dropped.

In 2015, five brothers faced third degree murder charges in the wake of Michael Deng's death at Baruch College's Pi Delta Psi chapter. Four of those former members pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter charges earlier this year.